Archive for the 'Bird Food' Category
You might imagine that traveling long distances in a car with your pet parrot could be a real headache. Surprisingly, the process can be painless and even fun if you prepare well ahead of time and make a few basic considerations. Your parrot will be happy and content during the duration of the ride as long as it receives food, water, shelter and some parrot cracker now and again. Make sure that the bird is well fed before the journey commences because it will be less likely to eat during the trip.
Keep a bottle of fresh water within the bird’s reach, and keep a spare ready to go within the car. Bird travel carriers are the final consideration. The carrier needs to be large enough to allow the bird to stretch its wings. Good ventilation will allow the parrot to breathe normally, so check that there are relatively large holes or vents in the carrier. Just like a common birdcage, the carrier should also feature a perch that allows the bird to stand.
Estimating a Bird’s Health through Appearance and Behavior
As the owner of a pet bird, it’s important to stay in tune with the animal’s dietary needs. When parrots, parakeets, canaries and other domesticated birds experience health problems, the issue can often be traced back to poor feeding habits. When creating a dietary plan for your bird, take its unique needs into account. Not all breeds of parrot like to dine on the same nutritional regimen.
Poor diet can seriously increase the risk of infection and cause excessive molting. If you notice that your bird is losing feathers at an alarming rate, it’s probably time to reassess its diet. You can also tell a lot about your bird’s health from its general disposition. If it is no longer playfully clinging to its swing or responding favorably, trying switching over to a holistic bird food
Frequently Asked Questions about Parrot Nutrition
I’ve owned parrots, macaws and cockatoos for many years now, and over that time a few of my friends have also begun keeping birds as pets. As the go-to authority on avian pet knowledge, they are always asking me questions about feeding and caring for birds. I’d like to share with you a few of the most common issues that are brought to my attention. First there’s the question of seed and pellet nutrition.
Unfortunately, people often frame the question in the wrong way. They’ll talk about “seeds versus pellets,” or some similar construction. The fact is that both are viable sources of parrot nutrition, and birds can always benefit from variety. Pellets are some of the most nutritional bird food you’ll find. They are made from a blend of nutrients, so each and every bite will be wholesome and beneficial.
Hookbill birds, especially parrots and cockatoos, occasionally require some bill trimming when they’re kept in captivity. Bird owners begin to run into problems, however, when they “go it alone” and attempt trimming a pet’s beak without precise knowledge of how it should be done. It’s important to note that parrots which receive high-quality healthy bird food don’t require a beak trim in the first place.
If it turns out that your bird could benefit from a beak trim, use the birds from a professionally handled zoo as your guide. You can use a diamond nail file to grind and shape the beak. Have an assistant or family member restrain the bird during this process. Err on the side of caution when trimming, as birds have sensitive living tissue beneath the hard exterior beak layer.
If you’re looking into purchasing a parrot, you might look to an experienced friend for some advice. Be aware, however, that there’s plenty of misinformation out there regarding a parrot’s dietary needs. Some people swear by a diet of seeds alone because, they say, that’s what the birds would eat in the wild. Unfortunately, that viewpoint fails to consider a parrot’s natural desire and physiological need for variety.
A well-balanced diet will mix and match parrot seed with pellets, fruit and maybe even a cracker or two. Establishing a diverse meal plan will actually help to prolong a parrot’s life while also improving plumage color and feather condition. A healthy parrot is a friendly and active one, so be sure to vary the diet immediately if you bird seems sullen or withdrawn.
I created this blog to write mainly about parrot nutrition. Though bird food is only one part of a healthy happy parrot life. So, every once in a while I will share information which I find important for parrot owners.
Today I got the newsletter from PEAC (parrot education and adoption center). A good part of it is about educational events and parrots that need a home. Though there are always some very good information about living with parrots. In this issue e.g. they have an article from Dr Susan Friedman. Whenever I saw her speaking or read an article from her, I think, “doooo, can it get more obviously”. It seems there are many things, which are so right in our face, but we don’t see them. Somebody has to point them out to us. Thanks to Dr Friedman and the PEAC newsletter to bring this awareness to us, so we can create a happier life for our birds. Which means a happier life for us too.
To read the newsletter, here is the link:
If you’re a pet owner and purchase your food from retailers, it’s important that you keep your eyes and ears open for pet food related news. To that end, one of the most common pieces of news that’s relevant to pet owners is a pet food recall. While it’s not a common occurrence, recalls do happen, and you need to be aware if they affect you or not. If you’re a bird owner, be particularly aware of salmonella outbreaks.
Salmonella, after all, is one of the most common problems that can occur within bird food varieties. This issue is particularly serious, because salmonella can actually prove fatal in certain birds. If you find that your bird is reacting strangely in any way to a new food, discontinue the use of the food immediately. If the bizarre or erratic behavior continues, take him or her into the vet as soon as possible.
Bird food is not a product were one size fits all. The choice of what to use as bird food depends on the species of bird being fed. And remember, birds need the same nutrients that people get from eating food.
Though birds may eat almost anything that humans eat, these following should never be given: chocolates, avocados, caffeine, alcohol, kidney and lima beans. And don’t forget a fresh supply of water daily.